PM: No witch hunt

UPDATE:

THE Prime Minister said yesterday there is no witch hunt in the People’s National Movement (PNM) against party member Harry Ragoonanan.
Dr Rowley is also the PNM’s political leader. Speaking with reporters at the River Runs Through Housing Development in Arima, the PM said, “Harry is not before the PNM’s disciplinary committee for anything to do with the port.

“He is in difficulty with the party for matters at the PTSC (Public Transport Service Corporation), where credible information came to the party that he was in engaged in unethical conduct, which runs contrary to the party’s fundamental principles of morality in public affairs.”
At a news conference on Thursday, National Security Minister Stuart Young said the State played no role in the electronic recording of someone sounding like Ragoonanan allegedly talking about corruption in the procurement of buses for the PTSC.

Acting Attorney General Fitzgerald Hinds said the recording “raised serious issues for us in the PNM.”
Saying the PNM is “not a mad organisation,” Rowley said the party’s constitution mandates certain processes apply when allegations are made against any member.
“It applies to me, it applies to her. it applies to Harry.”

The PM said allegations against Ragoonanan have been dealt with by the PNM’s investigations committee and central executive and are now before the disciplinary committee. That committee is due to meet with Ragoonanan at Balisier House on Thursday. The PNM, he said, takes “great umbrage” over Ragoonanan getting himself into this situation, “representing the worst of what this country has to offer” and then align himself with Devant Maharaj and Nyree Alfonso.

The PM said the trio “are very boldfaced” and “if the population does not get the correct information, such persons will determine the nature of this country.” Reminding reporters it was he who first shed light on corruption at the Port Authority, Rowley said the corruption there is entrenched and endemic.
“These things don’t just go away. people fight to defend where they are because it benefited them. I am advised that the port is taking the necessary steps to move people like that out,” he said.

Noting that two senior officials at the port have been “dismissed for cause” and some of the port’s operations have been shifted to the National Infrastructure Development Company, the PM reiterated there are people in the Port Authority who “are prepared to fight to defend and ensure that no change is made.”

Remarking that Ragoonanan was “well placed” between Maharaj and Alfonso at a news conference last Sunday, the PM said, “Birds of a feather tend to have a habit of flocking together.”

ORIGINAL STORY:

THE Prime Minister today categorically rejected claims by People's National Movement (PNM) member Harry Ragoonanan that he is the subject of a witch hunt within the party. Dr Rowley is also PNM political leader.

Speaking with reporters at the River Run Through Housing Development in Arima, he said Ragoonanan has no basis upon which to claim he is the victim of anything or that he opposed corruption.

The PM said the allegations of corruption against Ragoonanan deal with the procurement of buses for the Public Transport Service Corporation. He said due process is being followed within the party and Ragoonanan has been given the opportunity to defend himself.

Rowley said unlike other political parties, the PNM rigidly adheres to its constitution and procedures. At a news conference on Thursday, National Security Minister Stuart Young said the State played no role in the electronic recording of someone sounding like Ragoonanan allegedly talking about corruption in the procurement of buses for the PTSC.

Acting Attorney General Fitzgerald Hinds said the recording "raised serious issues for us in the PNM.” He said the allegations against Ragoonanan were referred to the party’s investigations committee. Hinds said Ragoonanan refused to attend two meetings of the committee and sent a lawyer to the third. Saying Ragoonanan had his opportunity to reply in accordance with the rules of natural justice, Hinds said the PNM’s disciplinary committee will meet tomorrow to discuss the report on Ragoonanan, submitted by the investigations committee.